VILLARREAL, Spain -- Barcelona defender Dani Alves responded to a racist taunt Sunday in his side's 3-2 win at Villarreal by picking up a banana that landed at his feet, peeling and then eating it before proceeding to take a corner kick.

A spectator threw a banana at Barcelona full-back Dani Alves during his team's match with Villarreal.

Alves said after the match that humour is the best way to combat racism in sports.

"We have suffered this in Spain for some time," Alves said. "You have to take it with a dose of humour. We aren't going to change things easily. If you don't give it importance, they don't achieve their objective."